There are no demons in Niflheim~
Summoned to Gralea, Ashtarte presumes she is here to merely inform Niflheim of the wedding preparation. Her position as a diplomat for Accordo, a neutral country, places her in a slight pinch.
Authors notes: This isn't the full piece I had in mind but I figured I was better off posting something than nothing. Been meaning to work on my impression of the illustrious Ardyn for the fic idea in mind since I felt it needs work but ye just me getting something other. This has been a funny drabble.
Feedback is more than welcome.
Content warning: gaslighting, manipulation, threats.
Concept: While we know much about the political positioning of Lucis and Niflheim in canon there is much about Accordo we don't know. Was Accordo familiar with the prophecy that the Hydraean would destroy half their civilization? Did they come to a democratic discussion about staying and keeping the truth from civilian? Were they desperate to host the wedding as to ensure their safety? While canon indicates Accordo as a neutral nation, neutral can amount to a moral grey. Was the glaives attempt to liberate Lunafreya pre wedding foiled because spooky Ardyn magic? Was the Magitech invasion seamlessly planned without inside help?
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The cold of Niflheim was far more scornful than she thought it would have been. Back in Altissia, there were a good few traveller's from Niflheim that spoke rather fondly of the country.
The snow akin to a fluffy white blanket draped over the land. A softness, an astral blessed tenderness found in the quiet.
The mourning of an Astral for it's lover was clearly not as pretty, or rather after what Nifl had done to the Astral's sleeping body- that the fury of the Glacian, was not to be scoffed at.
The land felt worn to the bone with Gralea- picturesque as it was, akin to a metal splint barely holding together the land let alone a society.
Although she was tucked away in one of the many highrises Gralea had with a thick glass window keeping the deep winter out- Ashtarte couldn't help but shiver as her fingers touched the glass pane. The cold numbed her digits, her palm and her whole right hand rather quickly.
If humans couldn't survive in this climate, could demons? She squinted as she drew her gaze to the snow border of the city.
How many demons would she find?
Frozen and forgotten in the snow. Claws furled and huddled, or flat and buried beneath piles and piles of eternal snowfall.
A knock at the door disturbs her thoughts.
There in the reflection of the glass is a shape most unfamiliar. A man with red head and in a collage of blacks and whites, lace and leathers saunters in, step by step. Without turning around it is difficult to discern his shape. Her lips thin to a line, whoever he was, he must have been distinguished in the least.
"Enjoying the view, are we?" He asks.
Ashtarte wanted to scoff. She keeps her eyes on the window, watching the reflection of the window as he sauntered slowly over. Were it Altissia, she'd have ever right to call out his blatant disregard for courtesy, but in the maw of Niflheim- she could risk questioning the stranger in disbelief, but there was more than her own head to lose...
She frowns as she continued to look out the window. She did her best to hold herself fast and proper without tugging at the cuffs of turquoise overcoat.
"Its.. quaint." She says simply, slowly turning around to face the man. "It is a pleasure to be at your regard, Chancellor of Niflheim."
"Chancellor Izunia-" The Chancellor corrects with a grin. "Even Ardyn is enough... Please, at ease..."
He settles in a chair, crossing a leg over another.
"It is simply wonderful that Accordo has agreed to host the wedding of our dear lady Lunafreya and Prince Noctis of Lucis. We wouldn't want his royal highness to catch a cold afterall..."
Ashtarte took a short sharp breath, before moving to sit across from the Chancellor.
"I must say I wasnt expecting company so soon." Ashtarte says slowly.
She straightens her posture as she gently poirs a cup of tea for herself. The chancellor taps the table, expectantly wanting to be served. She pours him a cup of tea.
"We of Accordo are humbled by Niflheim and Lucian interest in a wedding of this grandeur. Although I must ask why I have been called, a mere delegate working on the garments-"
She pauses as she sees his lips purse as he grasp his cup, he places the cup down in thought.
"I'm afraid that we demand more than a good show." Ardyn murmurs. "I suppose a fondness to the Lucis is expected, prophecy and what not. But we had hoped to be more than fast friends to Accordo. It's left the emperor rather disappointed."
"Surely this is a misunderstanding, we've been just as terse with both sides over these matters..." *
"And yet I have proof of your nation's infidelity..." Ardyn says amused, his lips thin to a line, a dangerous smile on his face. "And here I thought imagined that one with such birthright would stoop to deceit."
Ashtarte couldn't but frown, she had imagined there were no daemons left in Niflheim.
But, if that were true that Niflheim would surely be... Peaceful.
Something blatantly rotted beneath the veneer of diplomacy and decorem.
Perhaps the daemons never left.
Perhaps they grew clever and sharper in tongues, and the sharpest of all being none before her.
She thought about it for a bit longer, the minister had surely sent her to discuss the wedding arrangements. She swallows although it does little to dissuade the rising panic.
"The emperor is more than upset," Ardyn continues. "Furious even."
"This is a momentous occasion, that harm to the beloved groom and bride simply can't be tolerated... Why," Ardyn grinned and gave a short burst of laughter. "It certainly has no benefit to Altissia."
"I imagine there is reason to speak with an Accordo official like myself..." She says.. eyes flicking from his grasp on the cup to his smug face.
"Why don't you just speak plainly."
"My dear lady, that ruins the fun." He says softly. "The empire has been gathering information on the Astrals. Little do we know about the leviathan and the other gods of sea..."
He picks up the cup of tea and takes a proper sip.
Ashtarte looked at him sharply and couldnt help but raise her voice as she slammed down her cup. "Last Niflheim acquired information about an archaean they desecrated-"
"What benefits you more. Your vanity or the lives of Altissia mmm?"
"Lady Ashtarte of Belonore muster the effort to have a proper chat wont you?" Ardyn chided.
"Niflheim may not be as to so fond of Accordo but we are certainly interested in you. We have much in common afterall."
Her breath caught in her throat. Her? Similar to him? They couldn't be more than different.
Ashtarte surely gave him a look in distaste which made him chuckle again.
Everything she had done was to keep Altissia safe. Had she not tipped off Niflheim, Lucis would have surely barred the wedding. And if the wedding was barred, this fragile peace would surely disturb and wake the sleeping god of waters who would destroy their nation as prophesied.
"What do you want to know?"
